EAJC President: We live in a time when words are no longer enough. It is time for action.

Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), delivered a keynote address at the World Jewish Congress (WJC) Plenary Assembly in Jerusalem. Below is the full text of his statement:

“Dear colleagues, dear friends,

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the newly elected leadership.

Mr. Lauder,
You are not just an outstanding leader of the Jewish people. You have the rare and invaluable quality of not only leading others, but continuously growing, listening to the moment, and adapting to it. That is true greatness.

Ms. Safra,
We are genuinely pleased to continue working with you. You have already shown your ability to foster an atmosphere of trust, attentiveness, and empathy. I am confident that under your leadership, our dialogue will become even deeper and more human.

Dear Aaron,
As we say in Russian: “A great ship deserves a great voyage.”
We are proud to have worked alongside you. Let me share a secret: everything Aaron touches becomes better and more successful. We hope you will remain with us in the Euro-Asian Congress, even in your new role.

We live in a time when words are no longer enough. The time has come for action.

Today, the Jewish people face challenges that cannot be overcome with diplomatic phrasing or slow-moving bureaucracy. We must act — decisively, swiftly, and with courage.

Let me highlight two issues that demand our immediate attention.

First: the rise of antisemitism.

We are witnessing its return — in a new, insidious, ever-shifting form, like a virus adapting to a new reality. It appears in places we never expected. It wears masks: political criticism, social slogans, cultural “sensitivity.”

But we have a tool — the IHRA definition of antisemitism. It is not just a declaration; it is a clear and effective standard. It allows us to distinguish between real hatred and political rhetoric.

We must stand firmly on this foundation.

Only then can we build meaningful partnerships with governments and societies — based on clarity, responsibility, and the demand that the protection of Jewish communities become a matter of real and urgent action, not just empty words.

Second: the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora.

Today, during the days of Sefirat HaOmer, we recall the tragedy of Rabbi Akiva’s students. Their failure to respect one another led to catastrophe. We must learn from that pain: there is no future without mutual respect, without unity.

Today is not a time for disputes. Today is a time for mutual support.

The world must see our unity. Jews in Israel and Jews in the Diaspora are not separate peoples — we share one destiny.

When we are united, diplomatic breakthroughs become possible. When we are divided, even victories can feel like defeats.

We must remember: almost every Israeli family today bears the trauma of October 7.

We survived exile, pogroms, and genocide because we held on to one another. And when we did, God stood with us.

We are one people. And we share one destiny.

Let us live up to the greatness of our heritage. Let us protect, build, and unite — together.

All Jewish souls are bound together. And when we remember this, it becomes easier to fulfill the commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

No one fulfills this commandment better than the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces. We pray for the swift release of all the hostages and for victory over our enemies.

Thank you. Am Yisrael Chai!”

Head of the Jewish Community of Moldova Alexander Bilinkis Elected Vice President of the World Jewish Congress

Alexander Bilinkis, Vice President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), entrepreneur, and head of the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova, has been elected Vice President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC). The decision was made during the vote held at the 17th WJC Plenary Assembly in Jerusalem.

EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili personally congratulated Mr. Bilinkis on his election and wished him success, strength, and a productive term in such an influential position.

The EAJC’s member communities join in congratulating Alexander Bilinkis, wishing him success and meaningful achievements for the benefit of the global Jewish community and the continued strengthening of ties between Israel and the Diaspora.

Aaron G. Frenkel Elected Senior Vice President and the Treasurer of the WJC

Aaron G. Frenkel, Chairman of the Board of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), has been elected Senior Vice President and the Treasurer of the World Jewish Congress (WJC). The decision was made during a vote held at the 17th WJC Plenary Assembly in Jerusalem.

Congratulating him on the occasion, EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili stated:

“Dear Aaron,

As we say in Russian:
‘A great ship deserves a great voyage!’
We are proud to have had the privilege of working alongside you.
Let me share a secret: everything Aaron touches turns out better and more successful. That’s simply the truth.”

It is important to note that Aaron G. Frenkel will continue serving as Chairman of the EAJC Board.

The EAJC’s member communities join in congratulating Aaron G. Frenkel and wish him great success and impact in his new role — for the benefit of the global Jewish people and in strengthening the ties between Israel and the Diaspora.

EAJC President: The Time Has Come for Mutual Support

The Jewish community in the Diaspora and in Israel must come together and move from words to concrete action in the fight against antisemitism. This was the message delivered by Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), during his speech at the World Jewish Congress (WJC) Assembly in Jerusalem.

“We live in a time when words are no longer enough. The time has come for action,” Dr. Mirilashvili stated. “The Jewish people are facing challenges that cannot be addressed through diplomatic language or slow bureaucratic processes. We must act — decisively, swiftly, and with courage.”

The EAJC President identified two critical issues that the WJC must focus its efforts on: antisemitism and the relationship between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.

Speaking about antisemitism, Dr. Mirilashvili said:

“We already have a tool — the IHRA definition of antisemitism. It is not just a declaration; it is a clear and operational standard. It enables us to distinguish real hatred from political rhetoric.
We are obliged to stand firmly on this foundation.
Only then can we build partnerships with governments and societies based on clear expectations and shared responsibility, and insist — successfully — that the protection of Jewish communities becomes a matter of action, not just words.”

Regarding the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, Dr. Mirilashvili emphasized:

“There is no future without respect. No future without unity.
This is not a time for argument — it is a time for mutual support.
The world must see that we stand together. Jews in Israel and Jews in the Diaspora are not separate peoples — we share a common destiny.
When we are united, diplomatic breakthroughs become possible. When we are divided, even victories can feel like defeats.
We must never forget: today, nearly every Israeli family carries the trauma of October 7.
We have survived exile, pogroms, and genocide only because we held on to one another — and then God helped us.
We are one people. And we share one fate.”

In closing, Dr. Mirilashvili expressed hope for the speedy release of the 58 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip, and for Israel’s ultimate victory in the war against Islamist terror groups.

Senior EAJC Delegation Participates in WJC Executive Committee Meeting in Jerusalem

Photo credit: Shahar Azran/WJC

A senior delegation from the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) took part in the Executive Committee meeting of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), held in Jerusalem from May 18 to 20. The forum brought together more than 350 delegates from 70 Jewish communities worldwide for a series of working sessions aimed at addressing organizational and procedural matters, electing new WJC board members, and discussing the state of global antisemitism following the events of October 7, 2023.

The EAJC delegation included EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, EAJC Chairman of the Board Aaron G. Frenkel, EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben Yaakov, as well as leaders of Jewish communities from across the Euro-Asian region.

Notably, Aaron G. Frenkel was elected WJC Senior Vice President and Treasurer, becoming the first representative of the EAJC to assume such a distinguished position. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the EAJC Board. In addition, Alexander Bilinkis, Vice President of the EAJC, businessman, and head of the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova, was elected WJC Vice President.

During the Assembly, EAJC leaders actively contributed to discussions on the urgent challenges facing the global Jewish community amid Israel’s war with Hamas. Key topics included the sharp rise in antisemitism worldwide, the fight against terrorism in the Middle East, the Iranian threat to Israel, and strengthening the bond between the Jewish diaspora and Jerusalem. At the close of the second day, a special evening for global Jewish community leaders was held at the initiative of the EAJC, led by President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili.

The WJC Executive Committee concluded with the adoption of a resolution reaffirming the commitment of the World Jewish Congress and its affiliated communities to the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people with Jerusalem as its capital. The resolution emphasized unconditional support for Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, living in peace and security, with recognized and protected borders and the right to defend itself against all security threats.

Separately, WJC leaders issued a call for the release of the 58 hostages still being held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip, where they have been in captivity for over 592 days. On the third day of the forum, WJC delegates met with representatives of the hostages’ families and expressed solidarity with their struggle to bring their loved ones home.

EAJC Congratulates Pope Leo XIV on His Election as Head of the Catholic Church

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

For many years, the EAJC has maintained a constructive relationship with the Catholic Church, grounded in shared commitment to historical memory, the fight against hatred and anti-semitism, and the promotion of human dignity and interreligious understanding.

EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili stated:

“We trust that the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV will be marked by a deepened spirit of dialogue and moral clarity — especially vital in an era of global instability and growing polarization.“

„On behalf of the Jewish communities of the Euro-Asian region, I express our sincere hope for continued open exchange, guided by honesty, mutual respect, and a shared responsibility for the future of humanity.”

International Conference in Dubrovnik Focuses on Jewish Life in Post-Socialist Transition

From April 27 to 29, the Inter-University Center in Dubrovnik (Croatia) hosted the international conference Jewish Experiences and Post-Socialist Transitions, 1980s–1990s. The event was organized by the Nevzlin Research Center for Russian and East European Jewry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Zagreb, and the Leibniz Institute for Contemporary History (Potsdam, Germany), with the support of the European Association for Jewish Studies (EAJS).

The conference brought together historians, sociologists, literary scholars, and cultural researchers from Israel, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, Romania, and other countries. It focused on the complex history of Jewish communities in Eastern, East-Central, and Southeastern Europe from 1985 to 1995—a period marked by profound political, social, ideological, and cultural transformations, as well as war, violence, and displacement.

Among the speakers was Prof. Ze’ev (Vladimir) Khanin, Academic Director of the Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies (a research project of the EAJC). His presentation, titled “Ideology, Community, and Migration: the ‘Romantic Period’ of the Organized Jewish Life Revival under Perestroika and early post-Soviet Periods (1987–1994)”, explored the driving forces and models behind the revival of organized Jewish life during the final years of the USSR and the early post-Soviet era.

Focusing on Jewish leaders and communities during this pivotal transitional period, the conference offered a new comparative perspective on the experience, challenges, and transformations of Jewish life across the former Eastern Bloc and post-communist Europe.

Prof. Khanin’s presentation generated strong interest, as did his concluding remarks during the final roundtable discussion, in which he emphasized the importance of revisiting the formative experience of the 1990s to help restore the now-damaged infrastructure of Jewish communal life in light of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. He also advocated for a reassessment of the strategic frameworks guiding global Jewish engagement—particularly by transnational organizations and umbrella institutions such as the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC)—in relation to post-Soviet Jewish communities.

EAJC President: Victory Day — A Call to Remember and Unite

On May 8 and 9, countries around the world mark Victory Day, commemorating the end of World War II. On this occasion, President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Dr. Michael Mirilashvili issued a special statement:

„The memory of World War II is not just a matter of history — it is a mirror of our present. We bow our heads before the millions of victims and the heroes who stood against one of the most devastating forces of destruction in human history. Among the Allied forces were 1.5 million Jewish soldiers, including over half a million who served in the Red Army. They spoke different languages, wore different uniforms, but were united by one goal — to save the world from absolute evil and to defend their freedom. Some of these heroes live among us today, in Israel. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are our neighbors, friends, and colleagues. And we remember that their sacrifice gave us freedom.”

„Eighty years on, we are witnessing the rise of antisemitism, violence, and hatred — once again fueled by the same rhetoric that led the world into catastrophe. This is precisely why the memory of World War II must remain above politics and beyond temporary alliances. It must be upheld as a universal legacy — a foundation for collective responsibility toward the future.”

„On these days — May 8 and 9 — let us remember: the Allies did not win because they agreed on everything, but because they knew how to stand together. That is one of history’s greatest lessons. And it is on each of us to ensure that the horror of world war is never repeated.”

 

On picture: Happy 2nd Lt. William Robertson and Lt. Alexander Sylvashko, Red Army, shown in front of sign [East Meets West] symbolizing the historic meeting of the Soviet and American Armies, near Torgau, Germany on Elbe Day.

Pfc. William E. Poulson

Knesset Hosted Conference Commemorating 80th Anniversary of World War II Victory

Dr. Haim Ben Yakov, CEO of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), took part in a solemn conference marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany held at the Knesset in Jerusalem. The event was organized by Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, MK Evgeny Sova.

Among the distinguished attendees were Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer, Professor Zeev Khanin, Head of the Academic Council of the Institute of Euro-Asian Jewish Studies, coalition and opposition MKs, along with representatives of war veterans’ organizations, former ghetto prisoners, and Leningrad Siege survivors.

In the address, Dr. Ben Yakov highlighted the profound connection between Jewish fighters who battled fascism during World War II and today’s defenders of Israel’s independence.

“Eight decades later, the Jewish people still face existential threats,” Dr. Ben Yakov stated. “The difference is that while our predecessors fought within the armies of various nations, today’s response comes from citizens of our own sovereign state.”

The EAJC Director general also emphasized his organization’s ongoing commitment to preserving historical memory and supporting World War II survivors.

EAJC held its Annual General Assembly

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress held its Annual General Assembly virtually on Monday, April 28. The meeting brought together key leadership figures including EAJC President Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel, Vice Presidents David Yakobashvili, Alexandr Bilinkis and Moshe Shvets, and Director General Dr. Chaim Ben Yaakov, alongside numerous community leaders and representatives from member organizations across the region.

During the proceedings, the Assembly reviewed and unanimously approved the comprehensive report detailing the Congress’s achievements and activities throughout 2024.

In their opening addresses, Dr. Mirilashvili, Mr. Frenkel, and Mr. Yakobashvili reflected on the challenging circumstances facing Israel as it approaches its 77th independence anniversary amid ongoing regional tensions.

Dr. Mirilashvili struck a note of measured optimism in his remarks: “As we look ahead, we carry both hope and measured optimism for the future. The time has come to move forward, leaving behind the devastation of two brutal wars and embarking on a path toward healing and renewal.”

Board Chairman Aaron G. Frenkel expressed profound gratitude to community leaders for the diaspora’s unwavering support, which has been particularly meaningful to Israel during these challenging years: “Mutual responsibility is one of the key Jewish imperatives and a leading principle of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. For years, we’ve been advocating a simple yet significant idea – Israel needs a strong diaspora, and the diaspora needs a strong Israel. Through mutual support, we strengthen the Jewish nation and make it more resilient. Each side occasionally experiences highs and lows. When one side struggles, the other comes to its rescue. Right now, Israel is going through difficult times, and the diaspora must help.”

Dr. Ben Yaakov provided a comprehensive assessment of regional activities and extended heartfelt appreciation to local leaders for their dedication: “We recognize the extraordinary challenges you’ve faced while serving your communities amidst two wars that have profoundly affected our region. The obstacles have been numerous and complex, making your continued commitment all the more remarkable. Your perseverance in these trying circumstances is both recognized and deeply valued, and we remain committed to supporting your vital work.”